News: Spring 2024
Dates for your diary
Forest Community Energy meeting
Weds 20th March - 18:00 - 20:00 - Room 2, Lydney Community Centre, Naas Lane, Lydney
Join members and supporters of the Forest Community Energy to hear about local solar projects. All those who are interested welcome! Please RSVP to fod.energycommunity@fdean.gov.uk.
Thurs 18th April - 18:30 - 21:00 - The Wesley, Cinderford.
Play your part in nature’s recovery. Help create a new strategy for nature recovery across Gloucestershire. Join this workshop to learn why we need a nature recovery strategy, hear what is already being done to protect nature, and say which natural areas you want to see protected or restored locally. Open to everyone - book your place now.
Sat 20th April
Explore how to build a more local, resilient food system. Join local food producers, residents, and growers to share ideas, hear from speakers, meet local producers, and eat great local food. Participation by invitation only. Contact Forest Food Forum for more information.
Food waste, it all adds up
Thurs 9th May - 10:30 - 13:00 - Ruspidge Memorial Hall, Cinderford
A free half-day workshop looking at the top 5 wasted ingredients that people throw away and how to turn them into tasty dishes. E-mail karen.stiles@gloucestershire.gov.uk to book your place.
Updates
Building the Forest’s climate comms
A key need emerging from last year’s Forest Climate Workshop is the need for better climate communications. This would help connect those working on climate issues across the Forest of Dean. We have been busy developing a new FODCAP website, logo, and newsletter. Now we need your help. Please ask any individuals, groups, or partners who are interested to sign up using this link.
Forest climate workshop spurs further climate collaboration
FODCAP’s Forest Climate Workshop took place in the autumn. It saw over 40 people from different groups and organisations across the Forest of Dean come together to discuss collaborative action on climate change. Following that, smaller groups have met together to discuss joint work on energy and community engagement around climate going forward.
Community Space Grants
Does your village hall or local community building want a grant for environmental improvements? If so, visit the GRCC website to find out more and apply for grants between £3,000 and £25,000. Applications close at 9 am, on Monday 15th April.
Supporting local businesses take climate action
The Forest Economic Partnership will soon be setting up a new climate change and net zero sub-group. If this is something you are interested in being involved in do get in touch with the FEP. The Forest of Dean District Council is also recruiting a Low Carbon Business Advisor to provide advice on low-carbon investment for small and medium-sized businesses locally.
A chance to get FREE energy efficiency survey for your home
Homeowners in Gloucestershire are being offered the opportunity to get a free energy efficiency survey with Severn Wye. More information here.
Local organisations develop their sustainability action plans
Local organisations in the Forest of Dean are working with the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to develop their sustainability action plans. Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF), Citizens Advice, and Artspace are all working to see what their organisations can do to pave the way for a greener, more resilient future in our communities.
Energy ‘Climathon’ Workshop
The first in a number of ‘climathons’ will take place in the Forest of Dean on 26th April. Climathons bring together stakeholders around a climate challenge to develop local action. The first climathon will be on energy. It will cover energy demand reduction, improved energy security/resilience, renewable generation, utilization and storage, expansion of community energy, business engagement, and private investment. If you are a group or organisation involved in any of these topics and would be interested in being part of the climathon please contact Aimee at the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) on amorse1@glos.ac.uk.
Tell us your news
Want to share a recent success, upcoming event, or bit of local climate news in this newsletter? Then please just drop Anya a line on anya@holding-the-space.org.
Jobs
Two new climate roles in the Forest of Dean District Council
Two new climate jobs will shortly be advertised at Forest of Dean District Council. The Climate Change Community Programme Advisor will sit within the climate change service and the Climate Change Community Delivery Lead will sit within the community wellbeing service. The two posts will work together to deliver a climate change community engagement programme as well as support FODCAPs development. Both roles are part-time 2 year contracts. For more information keep an eye on Publica’s vacancy page.
